For those who wish to lower their blood sugar levels or simply want to reduce their sugar consumption, agave nectar is one of the best sugar alternatives you have.
Additionally, this is the best honey substitute if you’re a vegan since this natural sweetener comes from the agave plant.
With all of these fantastic benefits, you’ll surely be keen on stocking up on bottles and bottles of blue agave nectar.
But wait, won’t agave nectar go bad? Well, you should read this article if you wish to learn more!
In this article, we’ll also talk about:
Are you ready to find out the answers?
Then, let’s get to it!
Does Agave Nectar Go Bad?
In general, agave nectar has an indefinite shelf life, which can last for many years when stored properly. (*)
So does that mean that you can enjoy agave nectar forever?
When you look at the syrup’s packaging, you’ll find a best before date and not an expiration date. At times, you’ll also see either a sell-by or use-by date.
These dates indicate when you can expect the agave nectar to be at its peak quality. Beyond the said dates, there’s a high chance that the nectar quality will slowly deteriorate—but still be safe for consumption.
How Long Does Agave Nectar Last?
As mentioned, the shelf life of this natural sweetener is quite long. So how long does agave nectar last?
An unopened bottle of agave nectar can last almost indefinitely—a few years to a decade. This is also the reason why it’s a great honey substitute and natural sweetener.
But of course, you need to take note of the best before date, which is around 2 years after its manufacturing or production date. The date states up to when you can expect the syrup to retain its flavor and quality.
Beyond the said date, the syrup may not taste as sweet or as fresh. This is due to the chemical changes in the agave syrup that occur while the bottle of agave nectar is sitting in your pantry or cupboard.
The same is true with an opened bottle of agave syrup as long as the bottle is properly sealed and well protected from air and moisture.
How Do You Know if Agave Nectar Has Gone Bad?
Agave syrup has a very long shelf life, so it’s safe for personal consumption a few months to years past its best before date. Therefore, it’s less likely that agave nectar will go bad, but of course, it depends on its storage conditions.
If it’s not stored correctly, there’s a high chance that agave nectar will go bad.
How to tell if agave nectar has gone bad? Here are the signs to look out for:
1. Pigmentation/ Color
Take a good look at the nectar. If you noticed any pigmentation or changes in color, there’s a chance that it has already gone bad.
However, this is not a confirmatory sign since the syrup tends to become darker in color when exposed to higher temperatures.
To confirm your suspicion, make sure to look out for the other signs as well.
2. Mold
If you noticed a few white to greenish hair-like spots at the bottom of the surface of the nectar, you should throw it right away.
In most cases, consuming molds won’t do you any harm. It will just leave a bad taste in your mouth. But at times, it may cause gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea and vomiting. How severe the symptoms will depend on how much you’ve eaten.
3. Taste
If you still haven’t figured out if the nectar is still safe for consumption, the next best thing that you can do is taste it. Since you’re still on the fence about its safety, you should try only a small amount.
You already know the taste of agave nectar, so you can quickly pinpoint if it has an off-taste. If there is, don’t consume it anymore.
4. Smell
If the agave nectar has already spoiled, you can get a whiff of the unwanted smell as soon as you open the bottle. Trust me; your olfactory senses will never go wrong.
How to Store Agave Nectar Properly
The best way to prevent the agave nectar from spoiling is by storing it properly.
There are plenty of places where you can store agave nectar—in your pantry, refrigerator, and yes, even your freezer!
With that said, here are some of the syrup storage tips that you need to know:
1. Store it at room temperature.
Most people hate storing opened agave syrup at room temperature because it attracts a lot of ants. But the truth is, storing it at room temperature is one of the best ways to keep it.
The temperature in its storage place can have a significant impact on its quality. When the storage temperature is too high, its quality may deteriorate faster. If it’s too cold, it will be difficult to pour out from the bottle.
2. Store it in your pantry.
The pantry is the best place to put your syrup in since it’s at room temperature. Plus, the pantry agave nectar will be more accessible for you and will be the most convenient if you use this natural preservative regularly.
3. Use an airtight container.
Does agave nectar (syrup) need to be refrigerated?
If you want to store your opened agave syrup in your refrigerator, you can also do so. First, however, you need to make sure that the bottle is sealed correctly. Or better yet, use an airtight container for maximum freshness and quality.
4. Freeze your agave syrup
Wait… Does agave nectar freeze?
To be honest, freezing agave nectar isn’t the best option since its texture may change. Plus, it isn’t necessary since it’s a natural preservative, so it has a very long shelf life even when stored at room temperature.
But if you’re keen on freezing agave nectar, make sure to freeze agave nectar in freezer-safe containers since most bottles are not safe for freezing.
5. Transfer it to an ice cube tray.
Another great idea is to pour it into an ice cube tray so that you can use it both as a sweetener and ice cubes. If you go down this route, make sure to double seal the ice cube trays by placing them in freezer-safe resealable plastic bags.
6. Use sterile containers.
To avoid contaminating the syrup and lower the chances of spoilage, make sure that the containers you use are sterile.
Learn more: Does agave nectar need to be refrigerated?
FAQs About Agave Nectar
Learn more:
In Summary
Agave syrup is a great natural sweetener as it has a much lower glycemic index. Additionally, it’s an excellent vegan-friendly honey substitute since it comes from the agave plant.
So, does agave nectar go bad? Yes, agave nectar can go bad, but this agave plant extract has an indefinite shelf life and would take a few years for the quality to decline. It may even last for decades if it’s stored properly.
So go ahead and stock up on your favorite agave syrup. Just make sure that you follow the agave nectar storage tips we’ve shared with you so you can enjoy it for longer!
Up Next:Â The Shelf life of Canned Foods
